Expats Working

In Bahamas

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The most important restriction on being able to work in the Bahamas is that most
Non- Bahamians must have a valid work permit before starting work. A further limitation is that, to obtain a work permit, you must already have a job offer from a company in the Bahamas. You must also possess some skill which is lacking in the Bahamas, and there must be a strong demand for your line of work. The Bahamas offers a wide range of employment opportunities, but priority will be given to Bahamian nationals who are able to occupy any given employment vacancy. Application for work permits are the responsibility of your prospective employer. Work permits are normally valid for one year, and will only be renewed if there is a proven labour shortage in that area of work. Overall, the best employment prospects are with multinational companies, including those which are based in insert the
Bahamas.

Cost of Work Permits

The cost of work permits can be expensive based on the skill level of the job. While it is customary for prospective employers to cover the costs associated with work permits, it is not unusual for this expense to be partly shared with your prospective employer or covered entirely by you. These fees are paid annually upon the renewal of the work permit. The cost of the work permit is separate from the Bahamas Government application processing fee of $100.00 and attorneys’ fees should the
application be submitted by an attorney. Table A below shows a list of categorized professions and employment positions and the fee scales for each position:

TABLE A:

Work Permit Scales (per annum) and Employment Categories

Work Permit Fee Scales (per annum)

Employment Categories and Positions

SCALE 1: $12,500

Assistant Vice President

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Operations Officer

Company Director

District Manager

General Manager

Executive Director

Managing Director

President

Vice President

Project Manager

SCALE 2: $9,000

Accounts Executive

Actuary

Analyst

Architect

Assistant General Manager

Attorney-at- Law

Auditor

Banker

Branch Manager

Business Consultant

Casino Manager

Catering Manager

Certified Manager

Certified Public Accountant

Chartered Accountant

Chartered Secretary

Chief Investment Officer

Chiropractor

Chiropodist

Claims Manager

Commissary Manager

Company Secretary

Condominium Manager

Consultant

Construction Manager

Convention Manager

Credit Manager (Casino)

Cruise Director

Data Processing Manager

Dentist

Dining Room Manager

Director of Activities

Director of Convention Services

Director of Engineering

Director of Entertainment

Director of Food and Beverage

Director of Golf

Director of Housekeeping

Director of Human Resources

Director of Interior/Design

Director of Laundry Services

Director of Promotions

Director of Recreational Activities

Director of Restaurants

Director of Rooms

Director of Safety

Director of Sales

Director of Security

Director of Spa

Director of Stewarding

Director of Surveillance

Director of Tennis

Director of Training

Doctor

Economist

Editor

Employee Relations Manager

Engineer

Engineering Technologist

Estate Management Surveyor

Executive Chef

Executive Housekeeper

Finance Administrator

Financial Advisor

Financial Controller

Food and Beverage Manager

Front Desk Manager

Group Representative Relationship Manager

Group Sales Manager

Hotel Manager (400 Rooms plus)

Hotel Resident Manager (400 Rooms plus)

Human Resource Manager

Hydro Geologist

Industrial Relations Manager

Insurance Adjuster

Insurance Underwriter

Interior Director/ Design

Inventory Control Manager

Investment and Research Analyst

Investment Advisor

IT Specialist

Island/Cay Manager

Landscape Architect/ Landscape Design

Laundry Manager

Maintenance Manager

Maitre D'

Managers(excluding General Manager Project ManagerDistrict Manager)

Manager Trust Department

Managing Editor

Marina Manager

Marine and Biologist

Materials Control Manager

Meat and Deli Merchandise/Buyer

Medical Practitioner

Metal Trader/Shipper

MIS Manager

Network Administrator

Network Architect

Office Manager

Optician

Optometrist

Owner's Representative

Personnel Manager

Personnel and Relations Manager

Physical Planner

PIT Boss (Casino)

Power House Manager

Producer

Portfolio Manager

Production Manager

Property Manager

Quality Control Specialist

Quantity Surveyor

Radiologist

Real Estate Manager

Sales Manager

Scientist

Securities Trader

Senior Administrative Officer

Senior Trust Officer

Senior Specialist

Industrial Relations

Shop Manager

Spa Manager

Special Inventory Controller

Statistician

Stockbroker

Superintendent

Surveyor

Systems Engineer

Town Planner

Treasurer

Underwriting Manager

Veterinarian

SCALE 3: $7,500

Accounts Officer

Administration Officer

Agronomist

Assistant Accountant

Assistant Controller

Assistant Engineer

Assistant Food and Beverage Director/Manager

Assistant Managers

Assistant Manager (Administration)

Assistant Manager (Casinos)

Assistant Manager (Loans)

Assistant Treasurer

Chemist

Chief Steward

Computer Programmer

Dental Hygienist

Estate Manager

Estate Manager Supervisor

Laboratory Technologist

Laboratory Technician

Occupational Therapist

Personnel Officer

Pharmacist

Physiotherapist

Radiographer

Sous Chef (including Executive Sous Chef)

Treasury Assistant

Trust Administrator

Trust Officer

Wine Steward

SCALE 4: $6,000

Administrative Assistant

Accounts Supervisor

Air Conditioning Technician/Foreman

Air Traffic Controller

Aircraft Ground Equipment Specialist

Aircraft Mechanic/Technician

Airline Pilot

Airport Representative

Allied Health Care Professional

Assessor

Assistant Analyst

Assistant Bar Manager

Assistant Chef

Assistant Computer Programmer

Assistant Golf Professional

Assistant Housekeeping (Hotel - 400 Rooms plus)

Assistant Housekeeping Inspector

Assistant Investment and Research Analyst

Assistant Maitre D'

Assistant Trust Officer

Auctioneer

Bank Administrator

Bank Operations Clerk

Barber

Beautician

Boat Captain

Bonefish Instructor

Building Inspector

Butcher

Charterer

Charge Hand Rigger

Chef(including Pastry Chef)

Chef De Partie

Chief Securities Clerk

Communications Specialist

Communications Technician

Construction Foreman

Construction Supervisor

Computer Operator/Technician

Cosmetologist

Croupier

Data Supervisor

Dining Room Captain

Electrician Supervisor/Foreman

Executive Secretary

Explosives Technician

Farmer

Flight Instructor

Foreign Exchange Clerk

Golf Professional

Harbour Pilot

Head Bartender

Heavy Equipment

Foreman/Supervisor

Helicopter Pilot

Horticulturist

Hotel Housekeeping Inspector/Supervisor

Hotel Manager (200 - 399 Rooms)

Industrial Electrician/Foreman

Installation Specialist

Instrument Technician

Jeweller

Maintenance Supervisor/Foreman

Marine Mammal Coordinator

Medical Representative

Nurse

Petroleum Inspector

Plumbing Supervisor/Foreman

Pyrotechnics Technician

Real Estate Salesman

Refinery Operator

School Principal or Headmaster

Senior Cash Custodian

Sheet Metal Works Foreman

Ship Broker

Superintendent of Greens

Technologist

Tennis Professional

Trainer

Training Officer

Tour Representative

Trainee Analyst

Trainee Bank Administrator

Trainee Trust Office

Travelling Salesman

Ultrasound Technician

X-Ray Technician

Valet

Welder Supervisor/Foreman

SCALE 5: $5,000

Accounts Assistant

Accounts Receivable Supervisor

Aesthetician

Air Condition Mechanic or Technician

Animal/Mammal Trainer

Assistant Housekeeper (Hotel300 - 400 rooms)

Bartender

Bartender – Junior

Beautician - Hair Stylist

Boiler Maker

Bus Driver/Operator

Butler

Cabinet Maker

Carpet Layer

Carpenter

Construction (Skilled Labour)

Customer Relations Officer

Dancer

Disc Jockey

Draughtsman

Dry Cleaning Technician

Dry Wall Mason

Electrician

Electronic Superintendent

Electronic Technician

Elevator Technician

Entertainer/Comedian

Flight Attendant

Glazier

Governess (Child - Care)

Group Reservations Supervisor

Head Houseman

Heavy Equipment Operator

Hotel Manager (100 -199 Rooms)

Interpreter/Translator

Journalist

Journeyman

Laboratory Assistant

Liaison Officer

Manicurist

Mason

Masseuse

Mechanic

Milliner

Musician

Nanny

Painter/Wall Finisher/Fabric Painter

Paymaster

Pedicurist

Photographer

Pipe Fitter/Plumber

Power House Operator

Purchasing Agent

Purchasing Assistant Roofer

Safety and Fire Officer

Secretary Securities Clerk

Service Technician

Sheet Metal Worker

Social Hostess/Hostess

Steel Erector Reader

Stenographer

Steward

Telephone Supervisor

Television Technician

Tile Layer/Setter

Transfer Officer

Truck Driver/Operator

Watchmaker/Repairman

Welder/Iron Worker and any other Tradesman

Window Dresser

SCALE 6:$4,000

Artist (including Sign Painter, Lithographer, Floral)

Baker

Chief Telephone Operator

Cook

Dental Assistant

Diving Instructor/ Scuba Diver/ Diver

Dockmaster

Head Storekeeper (Hotels)

Hotel Manager (50 - 99 Rooms)

Teacher (including Dance Teacher/Instructor)

SCALE 7: $3,000

Accounts Clerk

Assistant Baker

Assistant Cook

Assistant Night Supervisor

Auto Body Repair Helper

Bell Captain/Head Bell Captain

Bookkeeping Clerk

Bookkeeping Machine Operator

Carpenter Helper

Cigar Roller

Concrete Pump Operator

Credit and Collection Clerk

Custody Clerk

Customs Coordinator

Dry Cleaning Assistant

First Mate Food Checker/Cashier

Front Desk Clerk/Cashier

Girl Friday

Groomer (including Pet Groomer)

Head Gardener

Hotel Manager (5 - 50 Rooms)

Houseman

Machine Operator (Accounting)

Maintenance Man

Mason Helper

Master Charge Clerk

Oiler

Plumber Helper

Presser

Pricing Clerk

Radio Dispatcher

Receiving Clerk

Receptionist

Reservations Machine Operator

Sales Clerk

Seamstress

Security Officer

Shirt Presser

Shoe Cobbler

Tailor

Telephone Operator

Telex Agent Machine Operator

Teller

Trainee Operator

Travel Agent Machine Operator

Typist

Upholsterer

Waiter/Waitress

SCALE 8: $1,000

Assistant Bell Captain

Animator

Bar Boy

Bellman

Construction Helper

Deckhand

Farm Labourer

Gardener

General Worker

Gentle Organizer (GO)

Handyman

Hotel Helper

Kitchen Helper

Janitor

Live-in Maid and any other unskilled Worker

SCALE 9: $500

Farm Labourer for active registered Farmers

Short Term Work Permits

Expats wishing to work in The Bahamas for up to 90 days must apply for a short term work permit from the Department of Immigration. A letter of request must be prepared by the employer and must accompany a completed application form along with supporting documents. The application can be submitted by the applicant or through an attorney. The flow chart below shows the process for obtaining a Short Term Work Permit.

TABLE B: Short Term

Work Permit process

Short Term Work Permit Application

If application submitted by an
attorney, the attorney will inquire
into the status of the application.
However the applicant will incur
legal fees. It is not unusual for the
employer to cover all expenses
related to obtaining the permit.

Step 1: Submit
employer letter of request,
completed application form
and supporting documents
to the Department of
Immigration (See Table C
for list of Supporting
Documents)

Step 4:Application
must be submitted by
applicant or attorney

Step 2: Pay application
fee of $100.00 to Treasury
Department. Payment may
be made in cash or by
certified/bank manager's
cheque

Step 3: Confirm with
employer that application
is submitted prior to arrival
in Bahamas

If application submitted by
applicant, he may find it difficult
contacting the Department of
Immigration when inquiring about
the status of the application
provided that he is not in the
country.

Step 5: Once the
application is submitted,
permits are either granted
or denied within 7 days.

TABLE C:

Documents required for a Short Term Work Permit

Short Term Work Permit

Documents

The following are a list of documents that must accompany an application for a Short Term Work Permit:

a. A letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration from the prospective employer stating reasons for the application, the position and the period of time required;

b. A copy of the bio-data pages of the applicant's passport (passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months);

c. 2 passport-sized identical colour photographs of the applicant, with the applicant’s name printed on the reverse side.

Long Term Work Permits

Expats wishing to work in The Bahamas for more than 90 days must apply for a Long Term Work Permit from the Department of Immigration. A letter of request must be prepared by the employer and must accompany a completed application form along with supporting documents. The application can be submitted by the applicant or through an attorney. The flow chart (Table D) below shows the process for obtaining a Long Term Work Permit.

TABLE D: Long Term

Work Permit process

Long Term Work Permit Application

If application submitted by an
attorney, the attorney will inquire
into the status of the application.
However the applicant will incur
legal fees. It is not unusual for the
employer to cover all expenses
related to obtaining the permit.

Step 1: Submit
employer letter of request,
completed application form
and supporting documents
to the Department of
Immigration (See Table C
for list of Supporting
Documents)

Step 4:Application
must be submitted by
applicant or attorney

Step 2: Pay application
fee of $100.00 to Treasury
Department. Payment may
be made in cash or by
certified/bank manager's
cheque

Step 3: Confirm with
employer that application
is submitted prior to arrival
in Bahamas

If application submitted by
applicant, he may find it difficult
contacting the Department of
Immigration when inquiring about
the status of the application
provided that he is not in the
country.

Step 5: Once the
application is submitted,
permits are either granted
or denied within 7 days.

Once the actual application has been submitted, the applicant or his representative should contact the Inquiries Unit of the Department of Immigration within 3 to 4 weeks for an update on the progress of the application. It is important to confirm with your employer that your work permit application has been submitted to the Department of Immigration prior to your arrival. The cost to submit the application is $100.00. This does not include attorneys’ fees if the application is prepared by an attorney. Payment may be made by cash or certified / bank manager’s cheque and made payable to the Treasury Department. Table E below gives a list of all documents required for a long term work permit application:

TABLE E:

Documents required for a Long Term Work Permit

Long Term Work Permit

Documents

The following are a list of documents that must accompany an application for a Long Term Work Permit:

a. A letter of request addressed to the Director of Immigration from the prospective employer stating reasons for the application, the position and the period of time required;

c. A copy of the bio-data pages of the applicant's passport (passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months);

d. 2 passport-sized identical colour photographs of the applicant, with the applicant’s name printed on the reverse side.

e. A medical certificate dated not more than 30 days prior to the submission of the application;

f. A police certificate of character covering 5 years residence in the Bahamas (issued not more than six months prior to the submission of the
application;

g. Copies of certificates of examinations referred to in the application form;

h. Copies of applicable job vacancy advertisements in the local newspaper, with replies and results from interviews, if any;

i. A certificate from the Department of Labour, with Notification of Vacancy attached, indicating that a Bahamian is not available to fill the position.

General Working Conditions

In general, working conditions and labour laws in the Bahamas are at a high standard and compare favorably with North America.They are primarily regulated by the Employment Act 2001. Salaries vary considerably in the Bahamas, depending on the sector, position and region where you work but the Bahamas ranks among the highest in the region. Minimum wage in the Bahamas is B$210.00 per week/$42.00 per day/$5.25 per hour. Generally, a working week in the Bahamas comprises 40 hours. The law requires employees be paid time and a half for overtime and double pay on holidays and on your day off. All employees and employers are required to pay National Insurance contributions at a rate of 3.9% for the employee, and 5.9% for the employer. There is a weekly wage ceiling of BS$620.00 for National Insurance contributions.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY

There are 11 national holidays. The following grid outlinesthe present holidays up to January 2017:

TABLE F: Public Holiday

National public holiday

DAY NAME

DATE

Christmas day 2016

Sunday December 25TH 2016 Public Holiday Recogonized on December 27TH 2016 As Christmas Day Falls on Sunday

Boxing Day 2016

Sunday, December 26, 2016

New Year Day 2016

Sunday, January 1, 2017. Public Holiday Recogonized on January 2, 2017. As New years falls on a Sunday

Majority Rule Day Bahamas 2017

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Good Friday Holiday 2017

Friday, April 14, 2017

Easter Monday Holiday 2017

Monday, April 17, 2017

Whit Monday Holiday 2017

Monday, June 5, 2017

Labour Day 2017

Friday, June 2, 2017

Independence Day Bahamas 2017

Monday, July 10, 2017

Emancipation Day 2017

Monday, August 7, 2017

National Heroes Day Bahamas 2017

Monday, October 9, 2017

Christmas Day 2017

Monday, December 25, 2017

Boxing Day 2017

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

New Year Day 2018

Monday, January 1, 2018

Maternity Leave/Family Leave

She are generally allowed to take a 12-week paid maternity leave. She is however not entitled to maternity pay by the same employer more than once every three years.There is no paid paternity leave. However each person is entitled to one week’s unpaid family leave in the case of the birth of a child or illness or death of a spouse, child or parent.

Severance Pay

All employees who have been terminated are entitled to severance pay. This does not however include employees who have been terminated as a result of misconduct constituting a fundamental breach of a contract of employment or whose actions can she shown to be repugnant to the fundamental interests of the employer. Severance pay is based on the following Table:

TABLE G: SEVERANCE PAY

Tenure and Amount of Severance Pay

SEVERANCE PAY

Where the employee
holds a supervisory or
managerial position

Where the employee has
been employed for 12
months or more

Two weeks' notice
or two week's basic
pay in lie u of notice

Two weeks' basic pay
(or a part thereof on
a pro rata basis) for
each year up to 24
weeks

One month's basic
pay (or part thereof
on a pro rata basis)
for each year up to
48 weeks.

One month's notice
or one month's basic
pay in lieu of notice

Vacation Leave

You are entitled to a standard vacation of at least two weeks to each employee upon the completion of each twelve months of employment.

Vacation Pay

Table H display the amount of vacation pay payable to employees upon termination.

TABLE H: Vacation Pay

Tenure and Amount of vacation

Vacation Pay

Tenure of Employee

Amount of Vacation Pay

An employer shall pay vacation pay to an employee in the following instances:

a. Employed for at least six months but under one year

One week’s basic pay

b. Employed for one year or more but under seven years

Two week’s basic pay

c. Employed for seven years or more

Three weeks basic pay

Overtime pay

According to the Bahamas Employment Act, where an employee is required or permitted to work in excess of the standard hours of work, he shall be paid in respect of such work at a rate of wages not less than —

a. in the case of overtime work performed on any public holiday or day off, twice his regular rate of wages;

b. in any other case, one and one-half times his regular rate of wages: Provided that an employee in a tipped category in the tourism and
hospitality industry shall be paid at his regular rate of pay other than in respect of his second day off in any week

Sick Leave

In case of illness, employees are entitled to one week’s and paid sick leave per calendar year, provided they can present a medical note.

For other topics about working in the Bahamas, see our ‘Employment and Business’ articles.